Among astrophysicists and other space-oriented scientists the prevailing opinion is that contact with an alien civilization would be absolutely amazing and a turning point in the history of human history. While the majority paints this event in a positive light with the implications of such contact including access to advanced technology and peaceful interaction, one particularly prominent astrophysicist isn’t quite sold on the idea.

In an interview with the Times of London in 2010, acclaimed astrophysicist Stephen Hawking explained why he doesn’t support extraterrestrial communicaiton efforts and he’s none too excited to have a run in with a spacefaring alien race:

We only have to look at ourselves to see how intelligent life might develop into something we wouldn’t want to meet. I imagine they might exist in massive ships, having used up all the resources from their home planet. Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonize whatever planets they can reach. If aliens ever visit us, I think the outcome would be much as when Christopher Columbus first landed in America, which didn’t turn out very well for the Native Americans.

Fingers crossed that, should we meet such a nomadic race, they’ve already filled up on resources by mining asteroids and dead planets.